ended every Council meeting, “Remember, Buy Local”

The City of Cocoa mourns the passing of District 4 Councilman Tyler Furbish who lost his hard fought battle with cancer today. (City of Cocoa Image)

BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA, FLORIDA – The City of Cocoa mourns the passing of District 4 Councilman Tyler Furbish who lost his hard fought battle with cancer today.

Councilman Furbish served on the Cocoa City Council from November 10, 2010 through August 20, 2016 when he passed.

“Councilman Tyler Furbish took pride in working for the Citizens of Cocoa and he will be greatly missed. He loved his community with all of his heart and brought so much energy and passion to all of his causes. He was a solid member of our Council, a hero who served our country, a passionate citizen who served our community, and a close friend. Our Community and our Country are a better place today because of Tyler Furbish and I will miss him dearly,” said Cocoa Mayor Henry Parrish.

Henry Parrish

Councilman Furbish began his service to the citizens of Cocoa as a Volunteer Cop with the Cocoa Police Department in 2006. He served several years as coordinator of that V-Cop program where he volunteered more than 3,200 hours of service and was named V-Cop of the Quarter four times. In 2009, he was selected as V-Cop of the year. He served with that program until 2010 when he was elected as the Council representative for District 4.

Councilman Furbish proudly served his first term on Cocoa City Council through 2014 and was then unopposed when he ran for his second term which began in November 2014.

Councilman Furbish was a dedicated member of this community and representative of the Citizens of Cocoa.

Furbish fought diligently for Public Safety including making sure the men and women who protect our citizens had the most modern equipment and facilities needed to better serve their community. Public Safety was his passion and dedication from his many years of volunteer service with the Cocoa Police Department.

He was a proponent of buying locally and ended every Council meeting, “Remember, Buy Local”.

This was evident as he frequented many Cocoa restaurants and shops with his wife Nancy.

As a former United States Army Combat Veteran and Special Forces Operator, Councilman Furbish always advocated and pushed for Veteran services. Furbish held active memberships in the Brevard Veterans Council, Brevard Veterans Memorial Center where he was a member of the executive board since 2004, Disabled American Veterans, Special Forces Association, and the Special Operations Association.

Toby Todd (left) and Tyler Furbish (right).

He supported the placement of a statue honoring local Medal of Honor recipient, SFC(R) Melvin Morris in Cocoa’s Riverfront Park and was front and center when that statue was unveiled. He annually participated in the planning and execution of the Cocoa Memorial Day Tribute event that is hosted in Riverfront Park each year as well as the addition of the parade a few years back.

After seeing Super Hero parking signs in another community, Councilman Furbish brought the idea to the City of Cocoa. The signs reserve parking for Veterans, Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters towards the front of the building. He pushed for the signs to be posted in front of City Hall and at other locations throughout the City.

The signs that were posted in front of Cocoa’s City Hall caught the attention of the local and the national media and the City of Cocoa was featured nation-wide.

Cocoa City Council members include back row, left to right: Councilman Michael Blake, District 1; Deputy Mayor Don Boisvert, District 3; and Councilman Tyler Furbish, District 4. In the front row, left to right, are; Councilwoman Brenda Warner, District 2; and Mayor Henry Parrish III. (City of Cocoa image)

Councilman Furbish loved to walk his community. He was often seen walking District 4 and throughout Cocoa Village where he would continually look for areas of improvement. He would keep an eye out for street lights that were not working properly or that were on during the day.
With his background in Engineering, Councilman Furbish brought a unique perspective to Cocoa’s Utility System where he fought hard to proactively manage the utility assets. He also was an ardent supporter in the City developing a long-term vision and the City’s recently adopted 2016-2021 Strategic Plan.

John Titkanich

“Councilman Furbish was a tireless advocate for his constituents, and he saw all of the City as his constituents, not just the residents and businesses of District 4. Staff and I will miss his energy and passion for public service. Public service is about leadership, and Councilman Furbish always challenged us to reach farther and look at challenges as opportunities for progress,” said City Manager, John Titkanich.

“Our hearts and prayers go out to Nancy and all those who knew and loved him – you will be missed Sir.”

Councilman Furbish is survived by his wife Nancy and their two beloved German Shepherds who Tyler loved dearly.